Strut Repair
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 733
Likes: 298
From: New Orleans
2014 GL450, 1992 W140 300SD, 1993 W140 300SE, 1987 E30 Convertible
I have all 4 still original in the car with close to 150k miles. But i did went through set of front and rear airbags (rebuilt myself)
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 32
Likes: 4
2013 GL350 X166.824
2013 GL 350 (X166) Front Left Strut Replacement
So I have a 2013 GL350. Just paid a mechanic to replace a rear airbag that was folded over and not holding air. Cost was $1k+
Now the front driver side is drooping overnight. I'd prefer to do the swap myself.
From what I've seen here, there are three options:
Thanks!
Now the front driver side is drooping overnight. I'd prefer to do the swap myself.
From what I've seen here, there are three options:
- Replace just the bags with Suncore Industries bags
- ~$250 for a pair
- downside is they apparently kind of suck and will fail and might not be supported well by Suncore.
- Replace the entire strut with an Arnott Strut
- FCPEuro has them, and does lifetime replacements.
- ~$700 each, recommended to replace in pairs
- May lack Adaptive Damping System (ADS)/Adaptive Control Suspension and result in a more floaty ride.
- Replace the entire strut with a Mercedes part.
- Available at mbonlineparts.com - $856.20 for the part + core charge (must return core for ~100 back)
- With adaptive damping sys. Adaptive Control Suspension.
Thanks!
Member
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 78
Likes: 21
2015 GL350 Bluetec
I replaced a front strut on my 2006 ML500. The previous owner had only replaced one, so I got to do the other one. You should have them both replaced at the same time! This job isn't much more difficult than changing a strut on any other vehicle, but it's a job that took me a full day. I then took my car to the local shop for an alignment and they couldn't figure out how to do it. So you should make sure you have someone who can do that after you've swapped the parts.
Jeff
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 32
Likes: 4
2013 GL350 X166.824
Okay. So I see there are FCS Structs at rockauto also - those are MUCH cheaper. Any advantages/disadvantages? I'm looking at an AS3410 and AS3411 for my vehicle (from Rock auto now , thanks @mtm !)
Theres also a version (AS3155/56) that say "premium eibach shocks" - any recommendations on which ones to go with? Eibach or non-Eibach?
I'm also seeing there are ADS and Non-ADS options. The mechanic that did my rear bag quoted ~2k for the front strut, and claimed that my vehicle has ADS. However, there's no adjustability button for ride type inside the car, only the automatic raise/lower when on the highway. That makes me think my car does not have ADS. Is there a way to know for certain?
I agree, the prices are outrageous. Imma do these myself, they don't look too hard, but I can see the job being time consuming...
Theres also a version (AS3155/56) that say "premium eibach shocks" - any recommendations on which ones to go with? Eibach or non-Eibach?
I'm also seeing there are ADS and Non-ADS options. The mechanic that did my rear bag quoted ~2k for the front strut, and claimed that my vehicle has ADS. However, there's no adjustability button for ride type inside the car, only the automatic raise/lower when on the highway. That makes me think my car does not have ADS. Is there a way to know for certain?
I agree, the prices are outrageous. Imma do these myself, they don't look too hard, but I can see the job being time consuming...
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 306
Likes: 78
gl450
If you decide to replace the struts yourself make sure you have a heavy duty punch and a heavy hammer to knock out the notch on the axle nut. Also, unless you have air tools, make sure you have a pipe or something else to extend the length of the wrench handle - that axle nut is usually very tight.
I had a local shop replace mine - about $700 in labor for both sides.
I had a local shop replace mine - about $700 in labor for both sides.
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Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 32
Likes: 4
2013 GL350 X166.824
Thanks for all the help. Today I swapped out both front struts on my GL350 (2013 X166), I went with the Arnott product with the Eibach shocks. A quick overview of the process (for me.)
It wasn't too hard - the hardest/longest part was getting the strut off and new strut over the axle to get it in place.
Thanks!
- Detach brake caliper, along with all the sensors on it along with the little plastic wire holder thing and hang it out of the way.
- Remove upper A arm nut and sway bar arm linkage nut
- Remove the axle nut (note that I was able to re-use one, but the other one I broke off where they had tapped it in, so I just tossed it and ordered a new one.)
- On the drivers side I removed the axle entirely to get the strut off. On the passenger side I used a 1" thick piece of oak to jack up one side high enough that I could pass the axle underneath it, and the reverse to replace.
- Do all the steps in reverse. :-)
It wasn't too hard - the hardest/longest part was getting the strut off and new strut over the axle to get it in place.
- I didn't realize I'd have to remove the axle nut and press out the axle in order to fit the strut over it. I didn't have a brass tap to tap it out, but I did have some white oak, which worked out great :-)
- The passenger side is a lot harder to do than the driver side (IMO)
- on the lower control arm nut that attaches the struct to the lower control arm?
- Upper Control arm nut (to link the control arm to the upper a-arm)?
- Sway bar arm linkage nut?
- Three nuts at the top of the strut?
- Axle Lug nut?
Thanks!
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 72
Likes: 19
From: 33004
2017 X166 GLS550 & (R230) SL550 2007 & 2012 S550
These guys rebuilt mine for $330 https://rebuildmastertech.com/
If just one strut is sagging and XENTRY can't adjust it MINE turned out to be a VALVE BLOCK a $50 part that is easy to replace
If just one strut is sagging and XENTRY can't adjust it MINE turned out to be a VALVE BLOCK a $50 part that is easy to replace
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2021
Posts: 68
Likes: 12
2013 GL550
What did you end up with?
I'm nearing 130k on all four original air bags. What an improvement from the x164.
As my day is coming, has anyone repaired the front struts vs. replacing them with OEM or Arnott ones? Thought I had seen mention of that on this forum but can't find it.
If so, any details on the repair would be great in preparation.
As my day is coming, has anyone repaired the front struts vs. replacing them with OEM or Arnott ones? Thought I had seen mention of that on this forum but can't find it.
If so, any details on the repair would be great in preparation.
In my case, I'd really like to keep the "active" nature (continuous dampening) of the OEM setup (my vehicle has the Active Dampening Systems, "ADS") but about choked when dealer gave me $2,600 estimate to replace just the Rear Left shock absorber that failed. I'm looking at aftermarket options and read that some generic replacement shock absorbers simply use a resistor to pacify the vehicle's onboard systems and just use a "fixed" cylinder (i.e. no *real* active dampening happening). I've been speaking with Suncore Industries customer service and they swear, up and down, that their 170M-13-R-PAIR part retains ADS (not just pacifies it with a resistor connected to the ADS electronics). I'm finding this hard to believe, so trying to the bottom of it and wanted to hear from someone who replaced their shock absorbers with Suncore Industries replacements.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 150
Likes: 23
2017 GLS450, 2013 GL450, RIP 2011 GL450 (totalled)
@Jason Stewart I ended up going with basic Arnott's and regret it. They are clunking like hell and I find the shock absorption terrible. The only thing resembling OEM is the highway ride when the struts lower the internal pressure.
@asuchander how are the Arnott's with the Eibach shock? Is the ride quality decent and comparable to OEM? Aging okay over the last several months?
@asuchander how are the Arnott's with the Eibach shock? Is the ride quality decent and comparable to OEM? Aging okay over the last several months?
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 306
Likes: 78
gl450
I have Arnott with Eibach shocks in the front. They were fine for a few months but then started clunking at low speed over bumps. It seems worse in cold weather. Now that it's warm here in NC, they still clunk but it's tolerable.
Member
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 139
Likes: 36
2017 GLS 550
The left front airbag blew up on our '17 GLS 550 last night. I'm seeing that it's possible to replace just the bag, but I'm wondering what the best brand or place to buy them from is. Also, how do I know if the car has ADS? I know it has the Active Curve System which is sorta rare.
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 733
Likes: 298
From: New Orleans
2014 GL450, 1992 W140 300SD, 1993 W140 300SE, 1987 E30 Convertible
It is possible as long your strut is not blown by driving without airbag. If your struts has little barrels on the side with wire connect - you have ads. If not - you don't have.
Member
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 139
Likes: 36
2017 GLS 550
Yea it blew in the parking lot of the restaurant when we were on our way home last night. But - thanks, I'm going to try to do just both bags up front.
Member
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 139
Likes: 36
2017 GLS 550
Does anybody have a link or part numbers for front air bags? I see that they're pretty easy to replace once the strut is out. Our car does have ADS. I'm seeing a bunch on ebay, but they're all no-name brands so far.
